It's 'invasion day' not Australia Day: MP

FEDERAL Labor MP Steve Gibbons has referred to Australia Day as "invasion day", saying it's odd Australians celebrate it by "throwing dead animals on a cooking fire" just as the displaced Aboriginal people did.

But after complaints from left and right, the outspoken veteran MP for Bendigo has now clarified that he doesn't oppose the celebration of Australia Day outright.

"I don't have a problem with people celebrating that day but they should also acknowledge our history," he tweeted on Monday.

During a rant on Twitter on the Australia Day weekend, Mr Gibbons wrote: "Funny how we celebrate invasion day by throwing bits of dead animals on a cooking fire just like the people we dispossessed."

A short time after Sunday's tweet he said: "It seems like I've upset a few Lib rednecks. I'm shattered!".

Following criticism from other Twitter users, he added: "I promise to be much more aggressive towards the Tories on Twitter this year! - No more Mr Nice Guy."